Worldwide: Energy and Natural Resources

Let’s just start by saying kudos to the author for not using the painfully obvious title of “Let’s Get Things Strait Regarding Global Trade and Their Overall Value in Flows.” In the bigger picture, there are about 200 straits worldwide, but only 18–20 of them actually matter for global trade, and 9 are considered truly critical choke points.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office has announced plans to fund innovative chemical technologies that utilize alternative and waste feedstocks. With up to $58 million expected to be available through the ASPECT funding opportunity in August 2026, the initiative aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing and chemical supply chains while advancing technologies from bench scale to pre-pilot operations.

Jessica L. Vaughn, an Associate at Mintz, shares insights into her journey building a corporate practice at the intersection of sustainable energy, venture capital, and infrastructure development. She discusses how her diverse legal background—from litigation to public defense—informs her transactional work, and reflects on the opportunities ahead in the rapidly evolving clean energy sector.

The Trump Administration has revitalized federal financing programs with renewed urgency, particularly through the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF). With recent major announcements including a $17.5 billion commitment for nuclear reactors and comprehensive new guidance issued in May 2026, EDF presents significant opportunities for companies seeking debt financing for energy and critical minerals projects that align with administration priorities across nuclear, advanced geot

The US flat-rolled steel market reveals a critical disconnect between production capacity and actual material availability, creating unexpected financial pressures for industrial manufacturers. As hot-rolled coil constraints intensify due to trade policy shifts and infrastructure demands, procurement challenges are rapidly transforming into enterprise value issues that extend far beyond the purchasing department. Manufacturing leaders must now recognize that steel availability serves as an early warning sys

The US Geological Survey has identified up to 2.3 million metric tons of economically recoverable lithium in the Appalachian region, potentially meeting US import needs for over three centuries. As global lithium demand is projected to quintuple by 2040, both the Biden and Trump administrations have deployed executive orders, federal funding, and interagency coordination to accelerate domestic lithium production and reduce dependence on foreign imports. State governments from Mississippi to California are a

Let’s just start by saying kudos to the author for not using the painfully obvious title of “Let’s Get Things Strait Regarding Global Trade and Their Overall Value in Flows.” In the bigger picture, there are about 200 straits worldwide, but only 18–20 of them actually matter for global trade, and 9 are considered truly critical choke points.

Governor Greg Abbott has directed Texas energy regulators to conduct a comprehensive verification and audit of data center projects in ERCOT's interconnection queue. With approximately 90 percent of the 474 gigawatts in connection requests tied to data centers, this directive aims to ensure all projects meet applicable requirements before advancing through the interconnection process.

Texas Governor Abbott has directed comprehensive audits of all data centers before they can connect to the ERCOT grid, creating immediate uncertainty for large load developers.

California environmental regulators advance new pollution controls while federal agencies shift course on power plant emissions and pipeline approvals. Major infrastructure projects including dam retrofits...

California faces mounting water challenges as Lake Mead and Lake Powell reach historic lows, prompting innovative solutions like interstate water sharing and desalination programs. Meanwhile, state lawmakers debate how to balance the water demands of AI-driven data centers with conservation needs, and regulators advance major infrastructure projects including the controversial Delta Conveyance Tunnel and Sites Reservoir amid environmental concerns.

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 has advanced in both the House and Senate with unanimous committee approval, authorizing new Corps of Engineers projects and policy reforms. While both chambers emphasize project delivery improvements and infrastructure resilience, they differ significantly in scope—the House proposes 131 feasibility studies and 10 construction projects, while the Senate includes 61 studies, 15 construction projects, and billions in EPA drinking water and wastewater i